Comparative Analysis of the Chemical Profiles of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Based on Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (GC × GC-TOFMS)*

Abstract: The chemical profiling of illicit drugs is an important analytical tool to support the work of investigating and law enforcement authorities. In our work, comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography–time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC‐TOFMS) combined with nontargeted, pixel‐based data analysis was adapted for the chemical profiling of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). The validity and benefit of this approach was evaluated by analyzing a well‐investigated set of MDMA samples. Samples were prepared according to a harmonized extraction protocol to ensure the comparability of the chemical signatures. The nontargeted approach comprises preprocessing followed by analysis of variances as a fast filter algorithm for selection of a variable subset followed by partial least squares discriminant analysis for reduction to promising marker compounds for discrimination of the samples according to their chemical profile. Forty‐seven potential marker compounds were determined, covering most of the target impurities known from the harmonized one‐dimensional profiling as well as other compounds not previously elucidated.     

Reproducibility of facial soft tissue thicknesses for craniofacial reconstruction using cone-beam CT images

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of the soft tissue (ST) thicknesses at 31 landmarks using the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images obtained from 20 adult subjects. Four observers carried out ST thickness measurements using Skull Measure software, and the inter- and intra-observer error rates were evaluated. Only five of 31 landmarks showed significant differences in recorded ST thickness between the observers. When excluding inexperienced observers, only one landmark showed a significant difference between the observers. Regarding the intra-observer reproducibility, the ST thickness measurements at three landmarks showed low correlation coefficients. The results of this study indicate that CBCT images can be used to measure ST thickness with high reproducibility. However, some landmarks need to be redefined to reliably measure ST thickness on CBCT images.     

Rapid in situ repeatable analysis of drugs in powder form using reflectance near-infrared spectroscopy and multivariate calibration

This study takes the first step toward in situ analysis of powder drugs which does not require any alteration of the samples. A fast, inexpensive analytical method based on reflectance near-infrared (NIR) spectrometry and multivariate calibration was applied. A diode-array fiber-optic portable spectrometer in the 900-1700 nm range was employed. Samples were laboratory-prepared ternary powders (diacetylmorphine, caffeine, and paracetamol). Partial least squares regression was applied. The choice of the standard samples for calibration and validation was performed through a D-optimal experimental design. The explained variance was higher than 90%, and the relative root mean square errors were <2%. The number of principal components (6) was very low when compared with the number of raw variables (356 absorbance values). Response plots showed slopes and intercepts were very close to optimal values. Correlation coefficients ranged between 0.909 and 0.989. The method here proposed proved to be competitive with Fourier transform NIR spectrometry.     

Comparison of two methods for isolating DNA from human skeletal remains for STR analysis

Abstract: The quality and efficiency of a standard organic DNA isolation method and a silica‐based method using the QIAGEN Blood Maxi Kit were compared to obtain human DNA and short tandem repeats (STRs) profiles from 39 exhumed bone samples for paternity testing. DNA samples were quantified by real‐time PCR, and STR profiles were obtained using the AmpFlSTR^® Identifiler^® PCR amplification kit. Overall, the silica‐based method recovered less DNA ranging from 0 to 147.7 ng/g (average 7.57 ng/g, median = 1.3 ng/g) than did the organic method ranging from 0 to 605 ng/g (average 44.27 ng/g, median = 5.8 ng/g). Complete profiles (16/16 loci tested) were obtained from 37/39 samples (95%) using the organic method and from 9/39 samples (23%) with the silica‐based method. Compared with a standard organic DNA isolation method, our results indicate that the published silica‐based method does not improve neither the quality nor the quantity of DNA for STR profiling.     

著作财产权客体结构中的使用行为——审视著作权法权利作用“焦点”的一个阐释进路

知识产权客体是一种多重构造体系,除涵盖知识产权处分客体(知识产权利益)以外,还存在知识产权支配客体(使用行为)与行为客体(抽象物)之分。就著作财产权而言,权利作用焦点的行为客体路径更多制造的是表述模糊的历史性概念,在权利边界的设定方式上难以限定,并不能一劳永逸地解决著作财产权的权利作用焦点困境。著作财产权的支配权能并非指向独占之作品,而是限制他人对作品的某些使用行为。支配客体(使用行为)路径始终贯穿于著作财产权的权利作用焦点思路当中。在反思著作财产权的支配客体,对使用行为进行定性与价值判断时,应避免时下合理使用原则、三步检验法传统规则的价值偏向与闭合趋势。使用行为的商业性和公开性(即公、私区分)作为合理使用原则、三步检验法等使用行为定性及价值判断基准仍具有重要的补充和参考作用。     

结社自由的基本权利属性定位

结社自由在基本权利体系中属于自由权范畴,并与其他基本自由权、政治权利、经济社会和文化权利在属性和内容上存在一定的交叉与竞合,因而结社自由具有复合属性之特点。从法律文本以及宪法理论考察,结社自由是一种独立的自由权类型,而非全然为表达自由或政治权利所吸收。厘清结社自由的权利属性定位,对于结社自由的实现、尤其是非政治性结社行为的保障,以及对于结社自由限制措施的合宪性审查和其他相关基本权利之法律救济均具有重要而积极的意义。     

公法与私法间的抉择——论我国民间文学艺术的知识产权保护

我国非物质文化遗产体系中的民间文学艺术保护工作正在全面展开,知识产权是否能够适用于民间文学艺术的保护仍存有争议.探析民间文艺著作权保护的缘由是厘清选择何种保护模式必要的举措.社会正义是民间文学艺术知识产权保护的价值取向.采用分类保护方式是民间文学艺术保护的优先选择.     

论医患冲突中的权利限制

医患冲突的频繁发生有多种原因,但医患权利内容的混乱、错位以及模糊不清所导致医患权利配置的不平衡、不协调是很大的因素,使得医患双方在权利行使过程中无所适从,从而导致冲突的一再发生。有效地规范医患双方权利,特别是对权利的有效限制,是解决医患冲突的重要手段。     

自救还是他救：受害人的权利救济问题研究

受害人是指所有认为自己的权利受到侵害的人,受害人的权利源于自然状态中人的生存需要和人作为人的道德资格,应当首先承认每个人都有认定自己权利受到侵害的主观权利,赋予每个人确认受害人的资格和自由。在这个前提下,区分"命不好的人"、"受苦的人"和"特殊的不幸的人"才具有现实基础,也为甄别不同形式的救济理论确立了立论的基础和方向。现代权利救济理论承认受害人作为权利主体和救济主体的双重身份,它的使命在于贯彻自我救济的权利这一核心观念,从而与道德范式下的怜悯论和神学意义上的救赎学拉开了距离,以此张扬人的价值和自我救赎的世俗意义,为与一种合乎正义的社会结构相契合的善政或权利的道德提供驱动力。     

Beyond the Thomas–Kilmann Model: Into Extreme Conflict

This article discusses an extension to the Thomas–Kilmann conflict mode instrument (Thomas and Kilmann 1977) designed specifically for conflict situations in which strong negative emotional relationships are at play. The Thomas–Kilmann (TK) model is widely used to help participants (disputants and mediators) identify how two basic conflict characteristics interact to influence how stakeholders shape their actions with regard to their interests. Essentially the TK Model is built on the premise that the two salient conflict variables are the relative importance of the relationships at hand and the substantive issues being discussed. These variables are illustrated with a simple matrix that shows how each party will interact with the other based on the relative importance it places on these variables. Graphically illustrating where the behaviors fall on the matrix can explicate parties' behaviors to add a new perspective that may change the dynamic of the conflict. But the TK Model does not address scenarios in which individuals have very negative or destructive relationships, and sabotage, blocking, and exclusion are behavioral norms. Hence, we developed the Baumoel–Trippe (BT) Extension to the TK Model to address the highly negative and often identity‐based conflicts that are often found in the world of family business. Accordingly, the BT Extension to the TK Model explores conflicts in which the relationships are not merely unimportant or uncooperative, but where they become negative to downright vengeful. There is so much at stake for family business stakeholders that the family relationships may become so adversarial that the very business and family harmony all parties value are at risk. With our extension of the TK Model, we seek to provide insight into how decisions might be made when stakeholders are in highly negative, conflictual relationships.